It’s time to celebrate! That’s the call from our local arts and cultural community every November as Celebrate the Arts Month rolls around. Organized annually by the United Arts Council, Celebrate the Arts Month serves as the season kick-off for the local performing and visual arts community.
Most residents don’t realize how huge our local arts scene really is – 46 non-profit cultural groups, 100+ galleries and artist studios, and more than 500 artists and entertainers who call this area home.
Research has shown that the non-profit arts groups alone pump an estimated $250 million into the local economy. When for-profit arts-related businesses are factored in, that number tops the $500 million mark.
In announcing the schedule, Council president Pat Antonetti indicates, “We are very excited about the line-up for this year’s Celebrate the Arts Month. It’s amazing how much will be packed into 30 days in November. We hope that everyone will join us at these events because there truly is something for everyone.”
This year’s calendar for Celebrate the Arts Month is the largest (125+) and most eclectic ever. The schedule includes theatre, dance, music, festivals, gallery shows, museum exhibits, films, arts education and children’s activities – and many of them are free!
Featured Activities
Kicking off Celebrate the Arts Month is the much-anticipated first annual Naples International Film Festival (775-3456) on November 5-8. The new festival group will screen films at several locations.
The Naples Botanical Garden’s (643-7275) grand-opening events start November 10. The garden has been completely renovated, with many spectacular additions. Don’t miss this one!
The Philharmonic Center for the Arts (597-1900) kicks off its season on November 7 with a performance by internationally-acclaimed tenor Ronan Tynan and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. The Phil’s calendar for November runs the gamut from Smokey Robinson on Nov. 8, to the orchestra’s performance of The Music of Led Zepplin on Nov. 18.
The Naples Players (263-7990) will keep you laughing with three comedies on stage at the Sugden Community Theatre this month: Lend Me a Tenor (Nov. 1-7), Much Ado About Nothing (Nov. 1-21) and Crimes of the Heart (Nov. 25-Dec. 19).
Other local performing groups are joining the celebration. Gulfshore Playhouse presents Jim Van Slyke:The Sedaka Show at the Norris Center (213-3049) on Nov. 18-19. Opera Naples (514-7464) returns with their popular Opera Under the Stars at Cambier Park Nov. 13-14. TheatreZone’s (888/966-3352) open house is Nov. 15.
The Bach Ensemble (732-1055) presents their annual music festival Nov. 14. The Naples Music Club (775-6867) presents Harps & Flutes on Nov. 8. Local entertainer, Janina Birtolo, takes her popular one-woman plays to several locations this month; call 593-0177 for details.
Did you know that Collier County is the home to eight museums? November would be a great time to visit them all. Start with a trip to the Collier County Museum (252-8476) for their annual Old Florida Festival Nov. 7-8.
Celebrate the Arts Month features several outdoor festivals with artist booths, music and food. The Naples Art Association (262-6517) presents the Renaissance Fall Art Festival (Nov. 28-29). The Naples ArtCrafters (352-3036) popular Fine Art & Craft Show is Nov. 14 at Cambier Park. Marco Island’s popular Fall Arts & Crafts Festival (394-4221) is set for Nov. 21.
Free offerings for Celebrate the Arts Month include several outdoor concerts and movies at Cambier Park (213-3058). The popular Evening on Fifth is Nov. 12 presented by the Downtown Merchants Association (435-3742).
Virtually every gallery and artist studio in the area has scheduled special exhibits and receptions during Celebrate the Arts Month. A complete calendar and details for these are online at: www.CelebrateTheArts.org.
Holiday Celebrations
If it’s November, that means that the holidays are not far away. Celebrate the Arts Month activities include several early holiday celebrations. Sing Along Messiah is presented by Voices of Naples (732-0947) on Nov. 22. The Naples Historical Society (261-8164) presents their Christmas at Palm Cottage tours starting Nov. 11.
The Festival of Lights celebration returns to Third Street South (434-6533) on Nov. 23. This popular tradition includes the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and holiday musical performances all along the street.
The Philharmonic Center for the Arts presents the perennial holiday favorite, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Nov. 28-29, accompanied by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.
Join the Celebration
As you can see, November’s Celebrate the Arts Month has it all. Something for everyone, no matter what kind of entertainment and art you enjoy. The Naples Area Chamber of Commerce will have copies of the Celebrate brochure at all of their Visitor Center locations starting November 2. You can also check out all the options online at: www.CelebrateTheArts.org.
The United Arts Council hosts a Celebrate the Arts Month party on November 14 at the Naples Beach Hotel. The ticketed event features exciting performances by local groups and spotlights Naples visual artists. Season schedules for local performing groups will be distributed. Tickets are $150; to order, call 263-8242.
So much to do….and only 30 days in November to catch it all….enjoy!
For more information:
www.CelebrateTheArts.org
239.263.8242
Celebrate brochures available after November 1 at:
Chamber of Commerce Visitors Centers
Hotel Concierges
Encore Bank locations
